Beekeeping...for those interested!

[Beekissed]

I've been so busy processing chickens that I hadn't gotten to check on my bees and remove an empty feeder.

My youngest son volunteered to do it one day in the middle of the day...just nonchalantly asked me if I wanted him to do it. Wasn't wearing any gear, in the middle of a hot day.......

So I said, "Sure, go ahead!" All the while kind of snickering inside, thinking, "This ought to be good entertainment...."

I stood back a little ways to watch. He sauntered up to the hive, opened it up, moved a follower board, slid other bars over into its place, removed the empty feeder and lifted a middle bar up a little so we could take a peek at production......the darn bees acted like he wasn't even there!!!

Not that I wanted him to get stung, but I know darn well if I had done something like that I would be running down the yard with a swarm of angry bees chasing me!

Bee charmer....

Anyhoo....when he lifted the middle bar there was honey! I hope to gear up and examine the hive more closely soon but I am encouraged that they are doing so well, seem to be very busy, seem to want to stay awhile.

 

[bibliophile birds]

nothing WE didn't already know, but NPR has a story about the new interest in beekeeping.

"Numbers are way up as thousands of novices take up the hobby. And who are these new beekeepers? Increasingly, they're women." (emphasis is mine)

 

[bibliophile birds]

there is a great bit in Victorian Farm (which is wonderful and totally worth watching) on Victorian beekeeping. the video is here- the bee bit starts around 5:40.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

hey bibbird!

wasnt that great about the beez in Vfarm!?!? and didnt you love their extractor? ours is just the same except plastic. wow!

 

[bibliophile birds]

yeah, it was super neat! maybe i'll try that whole "just slap the swarm in a basket" technique in the spring... or maybe not.

those extractors were very interesting. now i'm trying to figure out where i can buy one and if i can hook it up to a bicycle.